Improvement in step-ladder chairs



UNITED STATES i PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY WILLGOHS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEP-LADDER CHAIRS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 139,488, dated June 3, 1873; application filed May 15, 1873.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY WrLLGons, of New York city, in the State of New York, have invented certain Improvements relating to Chairs, which are also capable of being transformed into other useful articles of furniture, of which the following is a specification:

Constructions have been before used and described in patents which are capable of being transformed by folding into different conditions. My improved device attains the end in a superior manner, and is capable of an unusual variety of forms. It may assume at will the conditions for a hall or library chair, a step-ladder, a lounge, and a card-table; and in one position it may also be of much practica-l use as a mere plaything for children by its resemblance to the body of a two-seat carria-ge.

The following is a description of the manner in which l have carried out the invention. The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent side elevations of the device in its several principal conditions.

In Figure 1 it is adjusted for a chair; in Fig. 2 for a step-ladder; in Fig. 3 for a playcarriage; in Fig. 4, for a lounge; and in Fig.

5, for a table. v

Similar letters of reference indicate like ,parts in all the figures.

The several parts here indicated as being sawed out from solid masses of wood may, in most cases, be preferably formed from several pieces mortised together, or formed with run gs or interwoven strips of cane, conforming in this respect to the construction of ordinary chair. D is a portion connected by hinges d.,

which is folded up out of the way, and is idle when the device Aserves as a chair.

In adjusting it to be used for a step-ladder the part A may be allowed to remain on the floor, and the other parts being lifted up and swung over. What was previously the top of the back C rests on the floor, and the de.- vice forms an ecient step-ladder, as shown in Fig. 2. The jointed piece D, in this position, performs a useful function in broadening the step at the top.

Turning to Fig.3, the part A is turned down so as to rest upon what was its front side when used as a chair and the part (l being extended horizontally as far out as is allowed by the links B B, the device is ready to serve as an almost inexhaustible source of pleasure to juveniles, the part A ai'ording two seatst at the back of the imitation carriage-body,

the parts C and D are both mounted tirnily` upon the part A, which has been restored to its primitive position. In this condition the whole may serve as a convenient table for eating or for playing various games.

1t' the part D, with its connecting hinges,

be dispensed with, the device may still be` highly useful; but the structure, when used as a lounge, may require lengthening by a chair or the like. t

I claim as my inventiony The parts A and 0,' having theforms as described, and connected by the links B B, so as to be capable of folding into the several positions described, for the purposes specified.

2. The folding-piece D, hinged to the part C, as shown, in combination with the parts A and links B B., and adapted to serve in broadening the step for the step-ladder, and lengthening the structure for a lounge, as herein specified.

In .testimony whereof I havehereunto set my hand this 24th day of' April, 1873, in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY WLLLGoHs. Witnesses WM. U. DEY, ARNOLD HORMANN. 

